Objective To investigate the in vitro effects of levofloxacin combined with fosfomycin upon 30 strains of clinical isolates of Staphylo-coccus aureus (15 strains methicillin resistant and 15 strains methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus ) . Methods A checkerboard method that adhered to the recommendations of the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards was applied to assess the synergism effect between levofloxacin and fosfomycin. The FIC index was calculated according to the results. Results The MIC_(50) was reduced significantly for the combination of levofloxacin plus fosfomycin against Staphylococcus aureus. The FIC indexes of methicillin sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA ) less than 0. 5, from 0. 5 to 1, from 1 to 2, more than 2 were 36. 4% ,63. 6% ,0,0 respectively. The FIC indexes of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA) less than 0. 5 ,from 0. 5 to 1 ,from 1 to 2,more than 2 were 81. 8% , 18. 2% ,0,0, respectively. Conclusion In vitro the combination of subinhibitory concentration of levofloxacin and fosfomycin presented synergistic and additive effect There were no antagonism.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of reconstructing horizontal periodontal bone defects by tissue engineering based on bone marrow stromal cells(BMSCs)as seed cells and enamel matrix proteins(EMPs)as growth factors. Methods Two healthy rhesus monkeys were selected, and BMSCs were isolated from iliac marrow and serial subcultivation was conducted. The cells of induced BMSCs at passage 3 were harvested and mixed with Bio-oss collagen. The models of horizontal periodontal bone defects were established surgically in each buccal side of the posterior teeth, and were divided into four groups (blank control group, material group, cells/material group and cells/material/EMPs group). The histological and Micro-CT observation were carried out 8 weeks later. Results In the blank control group, the defects were filled with fibrous connective tissue. There was newly-formed alveolar bone in the material group. In the cells/material group, periodontal regeneration could be observed, while the newly-formed cementum was irregular and less in quantity. In the cells/material/EMPs group, the amount of newly-formed alveolar bone was larger, and the newly-formed cementum was continuous and regular. Conclusion The tissue engineering technique of BMSCs as seed cells in combination with EMPs induction can significantly promote the regeneration of periodontal tissue.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of color silk cocoon extraction-sericine on transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and Smad3 protein expression in kidney of diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats.

METHODS60 male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups (n = 12): normal control group, DN model group, sericine treatment group, metformin group and sericine prevention group. The rats in model group, sericine treatment group, metformin group and sericine prevention group were all established DN rats model by intraperitoneally injected streptozotocin (STZ). Blood glucose > or = 16.7 mmol/L was taken as standard to judge if the rats model were successfully established. After the rats model were successfully established, the rats in sericine treatment group were lavaged with sericine (2.4 g/(kg x d), 35 d). The rats in metformin group were lavaged with metformin (55.33 mg/(kg x d), 35 d). The rats in sericine prevention group were lavaged with the same dose sericine for 35 d before injecting STZ. The blood glucose and kidney weight/body weight of rats in each group were respectively detected. Immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression of TGF-beta1 and Western blot to detect the expression of Smad3 in kidney.

RESULTSCompared with normal control rats: the blood glucose, kidney weight/body weight, TGF-beta1 and Smad3 expression in kidney of rats in model group increased obviously (P < 0.01). The blood glucose, TGF-beta1 and Smad3 expression in kidney of rats in sericin treatment group, sericin prevention group and metformin group were significantly lower than that of model group (P < 0.01). Moreover, there were no obvious differences between sericin treatment group, sericin prevention group and metformin group (P > 0.05). The kidney weight/body weight of rats in sericin treatment group, sericin prevention group and metformin group were significantly lower than that of model group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the kidney weight/body weight of rats in sericin treatment group and sericin prevention group were obviously lower than that of metformin group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSericin can inhibit activation of TGF-beta1/Smad3 signal pathway in kidney of DN rats, lighten glomerulosclerosis and renal interstitial fibrosis, so has protective and preventive effects on kidney injury of DN rats. Moreover, the therapeutical and preventive effects of sericin on DN are similar with metformin.

Animals ; Bombyx ; chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Kidney ; metabolism ; Male ; Materia Medica ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad3 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Ten compounds were isolated from the barks of Jasminum giraldii by means of various of chromatographic techniques such as silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and Rp-HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis as (+)-medioresinol (1), (+) -syringaresinol (2), syringaresinol-4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), oleanic acid (4), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-trans-cinnamaldehyde (5), trans-sinapaldehyde (6), syringaldehyde (7), 1-(4-methoxy -phenyl) -ethanol (8), trans-cinnamic acid (9), and 4-(1-methoxyethyl) -phenol (10). Among them, compounds 1-3, 5-8 and 10 were isolated from the J. genus for the first time and compounds 4 and 9 were obtained from J. giraldii for the first time. In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, compound 1 exhibited significant activity (IC50 55.1 micromol x L(-1)), compared with vitamin C(IC50 59.9 micromol x L(-1)); and compound 2 showed moderate activity (IC50 79.0 micromol x L(-1)), compared with 2, 6-di-tert-butyl4-methylphenol (IC50 236 micromol x L(-1)).
Antioxidants ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Jasminum ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Ten compounds were isolated from the leaf of Eucommia ulmoides by means of recrystallization and chromatographic techniques such as D-101 macroporous resin, MCI resin, ODS gel, Sephadex LH-20 and Rp-HPLC. Their structures were identified by NMR spectral analyses as kaempferide 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (1), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucoside (2), quercetin (3), quercetin-3-O-beta-D-xylosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-galactoside (4), kaempferol-3-O-alpha-L-rhamnosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucoside (5), (2S,3S)-taxifolin 3-O-beta-D-glucoside (6) ,4-hydroxy cinnamic acid (7), (+)-cycloolivil (8), pinoresinol beta-D-glucoside (9), squalene (10). Among them compounds 1,5-7,10 were isolated from the Eucommia genus for the first time. In the DPPH free radical scavenging assay, compound 2 exhibited significant activity (IC50 13.7 micromol x L(-1)), compared with vitamin C (IC50 59.9 micromol x L(-1)); compounds 1, 3 and 9 showed moderate activity (IC50 161,137, 214 micromol x L(-1)), compared with 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (IC50 236 micromol x L(-1)); compound 4 and 6 showed weak activity (IC50 264, 299 micromol x L(-1)).
Antioxidants ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Eucommiaceae ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry

This study was aimed to explore the expression of B cell-activating factor of TNF family (BAFF) and B cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (BCL-2) in bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNC) of multiple myeloma (MM) and the significance of BAFF and BCL-2 for occurrence, development and prognosis of MM. The bone marrow of 40 cases of MM and 10 healthy persons was collected, the mononuclear cells (MNC) were isolated, the expression of BAFF and BCL-2 mRNA in BMMNC was detected by real-time PCR; the plasma was simultaneously collected and the β2-MG level was determined; the clinical staging of MM patients was performed according to Durie-Salmon (D-S) staging criterion. The results indicated that the expression level of BAFF and BCL-2 mRNA in MM patients increased, as compared with normal controls, the difference was statistical significant (p < 0.05); the expression level of BAFF and BCL-2 mRNA in plateau stage after treatment obviously decreased. The expression level of BAFF and BCL-2 mRNA in relapsed/refractory MM patients was significantly higher than that in normal controls and patients reached plateau stage (p < 0.05), there was no statistically significant difference between newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory MM patients (p > 0.05). The expression of BAFF and BCL-2 mRNA related with D-S staging and β2-MG level. It is concluded that the expression levels of BAFF and BCL-2 mRNA increase, moreover the expression levels of BAFF and BCL-2 mRNA in newly diagnosed and relapsed/refractory MM patients are higher than those in patients reached plateau stage, which suggest the BAFF and BCL-2 may be involved in occurrence and development of MM; the relation of expression level of BAFF and BCL-2 mRNA to MM load is positive, which indicates the expression level of BAFF and BCL-2 mRNA may be a new indicator for evaluating the prognosis of MM patients.
Adult ; Aged ; B-Cell Activating Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

This study was aimed to explore the expression of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in multiple myeloma (MM), and its correlation with plasma β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and staging of MM by Durie-Salmon (D-S) classification. The expression level of miR-21 in bone marrow mono-nuclear cells (BMMNC) of 43 patients with MM and 20 healthy individuals was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), and the correlations among the expression level of miR-21 and related clinical pathologic features, plasma β2-MG and staging of MM by D-S classification were analyzed. The results showed that the expression of miR-21 in BMMNC of MM patients was obviously higher than that in normal controls (P < 0.05). The expression of miR-21 in BMMNC of relapsed/refractory MM patients was obviously higher than that in newly diagnosed MM patients. The expression of miR-21 in MM patients decreased after chemical therapy, especially in effective group (P < 0.05), there was no significant change of miR-21 expression level in ineffective/progressive group before and after chemical therapy (P > 0.05). The expression of miR-21 was related with staging of MM and plasma β2-MG level. It is concluded that the expression levels of miR-21 in BMMNC of MM patients are significantly higher than in normal bone marrow, these data indicated that miR-21 may play an important role in the development of MM. Super expression of miR-21 is positively correlated with level of plasma β2-MG and staging of MM by D-S classification.
Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; metabolism ; pathology ; beta 2-Microglobulin ; blood

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of conservative surgical management on patients with subglottic cancer.

METHODSNine cases with subglottic carcinoma were treated surgically from 1984 to 1999. There were T2N0 lesions in 2 cases, T3N0-1 in 3 cases and T4N0-1 in 4 cases. All the cases underwent partial laryngectomy including partial cricoid resection. Variations of a pedicled thyroid cartilage flap were used for reconstruct the cricoid defect. The pedicle based muscle was thyrohyoid, sterno-thyroid or inferior constrictor. Unilateral neck dissection was performed on 7 cases and bilateral on two.

RESULTSThe function of phonation were preserved in all cases. Eight of nine 8/9 were decanulated. Normal deglutition were achieved for all patients. The 3 and 5 year survival rates were 8/9 and 6/9, respectively.

CONCLUSIONPedicled thyroid cartilage flap is appropriate for reconstruction of the cricoid defect in the conservative surgery of selected subglottic carcinoma.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; surgery ; Cricoid Cartilage ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Laryngectomy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Surgical Flaps ; Thyroid Cartilage ; transplantation

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relations between anti-myelin basic protein antibody (anti-MBP) variation and myelinoclasis in the brain stem following brain trauma.

METHODSIn rat models of brain trauma, MBP content and anti-MBP titer in the blood were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at different time points after brain trauma, and the degree of myelinoclasis in the brain stem slices was assessed with osmic acid staining.

RESULTSEarly after brain trauma, MBP content in the blood increased followed by significant reduction 10 days later. Four days after the trauma, anti-MBP titer was markedly increased, accompanied by obvious exacerbation of myelinoclasis in the brain stem, both reaching the highest levels on day 10, at the point of which anti-MBP titer increased by 4 folds and the number of myelinoclasis by 10 folds compared with the control group. Anti-MBP titer and brain stem myelinolysis both lowered 30 days later. Correlation analysis showed an intimate positive correlation between anti-MBP titer and the degree of myelinoclasis.

CONCLUSIONAfter brain trauma, MBP is released as a specific antigen into the blood to stimulate the immune system for anti-MBP production, and the antibody is intimately related to the brain stem myelinoclasis.

Animals ; Antibodies ; metabolism ; Brain Injuries ; complications ; Brain Stem ; immunology ; pathology ; Demyelinating Autoimmune Diseases, CNS ; etiology ; immunology ; Female ; Male ; Myelin Basic Protein ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; blood ; immunology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcription Factors ; blood ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo investigate luciferase gene expression and pathological changes of submandibular glands (SMG) of rats after adenovirus-mediated gene transfer.

METHODSAdenovirus-mediated luciferase gene (AdCMVLuc, 10(8) pfu in 50 microl) was injected in to SMG of forty wistar rats. The SMGs were harvested for gene expression measurement and pathological study after 3 days, 1,2,4 and 8 weeks.

RESULTSPeak expression was observed in three days following administration of the vector however, gene expression in submandibular glands decreased rapidly. the pathological changes induced by retrograde injection of AdCMVLuc included: after 3 days to one week, compression of acini, dilation of terminal ducts; after two weeks, slight atrophy of a part of acini, increase of iteracinar distance and focal lymphocyte infiltration in lobules and interlobular ducts; after 4 weeks, recovery evidence was found in acini; after 8 weeks, normal acini and ducts were found. The ultrastructural changes included: 3 days, much more rough endoplasmic reticulum was found both in acini and duct epithelial cell; a lot of mucus drops were found in acini; after 1 week, microvillus decreased in duct epithelial cells, mitochondria increased significantly in acini; intercellular space was enlarged.

CONCLUSIONSAdenovirus-mediated gene transfer can produce biological proteins and induce marked inflammatory changes in rat SMG. The ultrastructural changes suggest high protein synthesis activity in the acinar cells after gene transfer.

Adenoviridae ; enzymology ; genetics ; Animals ; Gene Expression ; Gene Transfer Techniques ; Luciferases ; genetics ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Submandibular Gland ; pathology ; virology